Past Programs & Projects
The Mural Project: Art in Hard Times aimed to hold space for creative expression and community-building during the pandemic. Led by social artist Melanie Schambach and an amazing team of local artists and social support workers.
Community-Engaged Projects
The Community Fabric Project was a free, ten-week community-arts series in which participants work together to create a community quilt, while building social connections and developing skills to support their mental health and wellbeing.
The Mural Project: Art in a Just Recovery was a collaboration between Art Not Shame, the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition, and Melanie Schambach that explored community care in the context of our pandemic recovery in Guelph.
Community Exhibitions
Programs
Creative Calm
A 5-week in-person program for youth ages 14-16 experiencing stress and anxiety, using a variety of art forms and other creative activities to build confidence in identifying and expressing emotions, build self-esteem, develop coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety, and experience a greater sense of connection and support. Guided by Art Therapist Intern Ryan Spies and Artist-Facilitator Maeve Hind.
Connection Through Expression
A six-week, virtual, facilitated, arts-based workshop series for individuals aged 14 to 18 living with mental health challenges. The program aimed to help participants foster connection and communit, express themselves creatively, learn coping tools, and build grounding and mindfulness skills.
Pay It Forward Arts Fund
The Pay it Forward Arts Fund (PIFAF) is a gift of artist Barbara Salsberg Mathews and her husband Bruce Mathews. The award helped local artists, in any discipline, fund art projects that “pay it forward” and benefit the community. The PIFAF took many forms by using the arts to heal, give a hand-up, help build self-esteem, beautify our environment, or enrich and improve others’ lives.
"Being a part of a community that allowed, accepted, and encouraged me to be vulnerable and open and authentically me was so overwhelmingly meaningful that I found myself in tears repeatedly during those first few sessions.”
- Program Particiapnt